End terminal for fabric sling



G. BARTHULE Nov. 14, 1967 END TERMINAL FOR FABRIC SLING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jun% 14, 1965 N VEN TOR e Zm/Z%u Gem A TTUR/VEYS Nov. 14, 1967 5. BARTHULE 3,352,590

END TERMINAL FOR FABRIC SLING Filed June 14, 1965 pp w 24 /4 34 03439 F a 2 Sheets$heet 2 I I v 42c 42b I in //v VEN TOR Zita ATTORNEYS I United States Patent 3,352,590 END TERMINAL FOR FABRIC SLING George Barthule, Wheeling, 111., assignor to Liftex Slings, Inc., Libertyville, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 14, 1965, Ser. No. 463,578 4 Claims. (Cl. 294-74) This invention relates to webbing slings, more particularly, to sl-ings that include elongated webs and end terminals. The invention also relates to and terminals for such slings.

In my US. Patent No. 2,903,291, I have disclosed one type of all-fabric webbing sling. Such slings are especially suited for lifting or hoisting and handling finished products, machined surfaces, soft metals, ground and polished shaftings, spindles, and other loads that must not be marred, scratched or otherwise disfigured in handling. The webs advantageously are constructed of synthetic fibers, including the polyamides such as nylon and the polyesters such as Dacron, and they may be constructed of other materials.

It is frequently desirable that the webbing slings be provided with end terminals for connecting the slings to hoisting gear and the like to support the load thereby. A useful, convenient and economical type of end terminal is an eye plate, having an eye opening therein for inserting the hoisting gear hook, and having an opening therein for attachment of the sling web to the plate. The web is attached by inserting an end of the web through the attachment opening and looping the end back on itself, where it is secured.

Inasmuch as relative movement between the web loop and the terminal plate takes place, the loop is subject to wear. Also, in forming a choker hitch, the opposite end of the sling is inserted through the attachment opening, and the web is subject to additional wear along its length.

In the past, web wear has been minimized by employing soft steel plates and machining the rim of the attachment opening. When it is desired to employ the stronger hard alloy steels, however, it is impractical to machine the plates adequately.

The present invention overcomes the problem of providing a suitable end terminal incorporating a hard steel plate, and the invention also may be applied advantageously to terminals constructed with plates formed of other materials. In particular, an end terminal is provided which includes an eye plate having a Web attachment opening therein, and a rub strip mounted on the rim of the opening. The rub strip is at least interposed between the rim of the opening and the inside of the connecting loop on the web, and advisably also the side rims of the opening. Most advantageously, the rub strip extends substantially completely around the rim of the attachment opening, thereby also reducing wear along the length of the web when the web is passed through the opening to form a choker hitch or the like.

In providing the new webbing sling and end terminal of the invention, the eye and attachment openings in the terminal may be formed by flame cutting a hard steel plate, and the rim around the attachment opening is ground merely enough to remove sharp edges thereat. The rub strip perferably is constructed of plastic and cemented to the plate along the rim. Alternatively, the rub strip may be constructed of other suitable wear-resistant material such as metal, and the strip may be secured in place by welding or other appropriate means. It is especially advantageous to construct the rub strip of molded plastic sections, which are easily and rapidly secured over the rim.

The invention provides a simple, economical and convenient webbing sling and end terminal therefor which are yet strong and durable. The sling is well adapted for use in various ways and in diverse environments.

These and other advantages, objects and functions of the invention will be apparent on reference to the specification and to the attached drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one end of a webbing sling according to the invention, illustrating the manner in which it is connected to hoisting gear;

FIG. 2 is a broken side elevational view on a smaller scale of a sling having end terminals of different sizes, showing the sling forming a choker hitch on a load;

FIG. 3 is an edge elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the end terminal of the sling shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a similar view on a smaller scale of an end terminal of a size larger than that of the embodiment of FIG. 4, but with the rub strip on the lower rim and side rims of the opening;

FIG. 6 is a similar view on the same scale as FIG. 5, of an end terminal of a smaller size than the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, taken on line 77 thereof.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 13 illustrate webbing slings 10 and 12 which include end terminals 14a and 14b, and elongated fabric webs or strips 16a and 165. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein only one end of the sling is illustrated, the remaining end may have the same construction, or it may have the construction illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The structure of FIGS. 2 and 3 is particularly adapted for forming a choker hitch, and accordingly, one end of the sling is narrower than the other end for inserting the narrow end through the end terminal of the other end. The slings are illustrated in the several views as connected to hoisting gear 18 by means of a hook 20 thereof. In FIGS. 2 and 3, a load consisting of tubes 22 is supported by the sling.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the end terminal 14a illustrated therein includes an eye plate 24a and a channeled or grooved rub strip or wear reducing member 26. The rub strip is cemented or bonded to the plate by a layer of cement or adhesive 28.

The eye plate 24a in the preferred embodiments of the invention is constructed of hard alloy steel. A representative plate is inch thick. The eye plate includes a nor mally upper generally triangular eye portion 30 and an integral lower generally rectangular web attachment portion 32. A generally eliptical or oval enclosed eye opening 34a is provided in the eye portion, with the long axis thereof substantially vertical in normal use. A substantially rectangular enclosed web attachment opening 36 having rounded corners 37 is provided in the attachment portion, and it normally extends horizontally. The eye and attachment openings preferably are formed by fiame cutting the plate. A rim 38 surrounds the attachment opening, and the edges 40 of the rim are rounded by grinding.

The rub strip 26 is constructed in the form of an externally rounded channel, and it receives the rim 38 therein, as seen in FIG. 7. In the illustrative preferred embodiments, the external cross sectional configuration of the rub strip corresponds to the arc of a circle. However, other rounded configurations might be provided, such as elliptical or oval, to provide the advantages of the invention.

The rub strip 26 is formed of a plurality of transverse sections mounted in end-to-end abutting relation. Two

types of sections areemployed, C-shaped end sections 42a and straight upper and lower side sections 42b. One C-shaped end section is mounted on each of the ends 44 of'the rim 38 surrounding the attachment opening, and the sections face each other with their long sides parallel to each other. Two straight side sections are mounted in alignment on each of the respective upper and lower sides 46 and 48 of the rim, and the sections on each side are parallel to those on the other side. The sections together provide a substantially rectangular periphery 45 around the rim, defining an ultimate web opening 47a.

The foregoing construction of the-rub strip 26 provides for ease and economy of manufacture and assembly. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the rub strip is constructed of plastic. The plastic preferably is a moldable synthetic resin that is strong, rigid, tough and resilient and has good abrasion resistance and bearing characteristics. Preferred resins include polyamides such as nylon, and acetal resins such as Delrin, a polyoxymethylene. The rub strip may be reinforced by suitable materials embedded in the plastic, such as glass fibers. The rub strip sections 42a and 42b are molded, inserted in place, and cemented to the plate 24a by a suitable cement or adhesive layer 28, such as an epoxy resin cement.

It will be noted that the rub strip 26 includes only transverseseams, and there are no seams along the ends 44 of the rim 38. Longitudinal seams may pull apart and therefore are avoided. Seams at the ends 44 may lead to abrasion of the edges of the sling web. The end sections 42a are constructed in the C-shaped to provide projecting portions extending a short additional distance from the covered ends 44, to thereby separate the seams formed with the straight side sections 42b from the ends of the web opening 47a.

The end terminals 14a and 14b are constructed in various sizes for use with correspondingly sized webs 16a and 16bin providing slings having various load capacities. Thus, for example, the slings may employ webs from 2 inches to 8 inches in width. The C-shaped end sections 42a preferably are made in a single size for use with all eye plate sizes. The straight side sections are made in two preferred lengths, i.e., 1 inch and 2 inches. The section 42b illustrated in FIGS. 1, -2 and 4 are 2 inches long. One or more of such sections are used on each side of the rim 38 with webs having even numbered widths. Straight-sections 1 inch in length 420 are used together with 2 inch sections 42b for webs having odd numbered widths, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, two 2-inch straight sections and one l-inch straight section are employed on the lower side of the attachment opening rim on the plate 240 illustrated in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5 no rub strip is placed on the upper rim of the opening and instead of C-shaped rub sections at both ends of the opening, I-shaped sections 70 and 71 are used that are formed by cutting off one end of the C-shaped sections. Such an arrangement is suitable in those slings where rubbing at the top of the opening is not a problem. In FIG. 6, one 2-inch section 42b and one l-inch section 420 are employed on each of the lower and upper sides of the rim on the plate 24d and a C-shaped section 4241 is placed at each end of the opening. While it is preferred to construct the straight sections in the foregoing two sizes for use in the several sling sizes, it will be apparent that other or additional section lengths may be employed.

The thickness of the plastic rub strip 26 above the rim 38 preferably is about 4 inch. The width of web opening, between the opposite C-shaped sections 42a, preferably is about /2 inch greater than the width of the web. Thus, the width of the web, opening 47a in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is about 4 inches, and the width of the web 16a is 4 inches. The widths of the web openings .between the rub strips at the ends of the openings in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are 5 /2 inches and 3 /2 inches, for use with 5 inch and 3 inch webs, respectively. The width of the opening is made up of the combined structed of a fabric stn'p'or band 50 having each end 52 and 54 inserted through a web opening 47a or 47b in one of the terminals 14a and 14b. One end 54 of the web 16b is tapered to a lesser Width than the remainder of the web, from 4 inches to 2 inches for connection to the narrower terminal 14b having a web opening 47b 2 /2 inches wide. The ends are looped back on themselves, so that the end edges 56 and 58 extend for an appreciable distance below the eye plates 24a and 24b. The ends of the loops are secured together by longitudinal diagonal rows of stitching 6t) and 62.

'A load may be lifted with the slings 10 and 12 by forming a basket hitch around the load, in which case the terminal eye plates at both ends of the sling, such as the eye plates 24a and 24b, are attached to the hook 2'9 of the hoisting gear, the hook being inserted through the eye openings 34a and 34b. Alternatively, the sling 12 may be employed as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, forming a choker hitch with which the lift is made from the narrower end terminal 14b. In this manner of use, the narrower terminal 14b is inserted through the Web opening 47a in the wider terminal 14a, sufiici-ent space remaining in the opening for this purpose, and the Web 16b is pulled through the opening. The narrower eye plate 24b has a width selected to pass through web opening 47a, and the height of the opening is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the narrower plate24b and the rub strip and web loop thereon. The wider terminal 14a slides down along the web 16b to a point adjacent the tubes 22 constituting the load.

The rub strip 26, extending completely around the web opening 47a, protects the web 16b from wear on itssides and edges. Thus, the looped web end 52 hangs from the transversely rounded straight lower horizontal portion of the rub strip, and the body of the web slides through the web opening against the surface of the upper horizontal portion of the rub strip. The edges of the web contact the end sections 42a of the rub strip from time to time and are protected thereby.

The webbing sling of the invention is well suited for handling loads that must not be marred in handling, and it is strong and durable. The web is resistant to shock loads, is strong yet light, has excellent properties of flexibility and extensibility, and furnishes other advantages of a webbing sling, such as resistance to heat, moisture, chemicals, and attack by insects and microorganisms. At the same time, the web is protected and its useful life extended by the improved terminal construction.

While several preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent that various changesand modifications may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A webbing sling which comprises two terminal hard steel eye plates each having a web attachment opening therein, an elongated fabric web having one end inserted through said opening in one of said plates and the opposite end inserted through said opening in the other plate and said ends being looped back on themselves,

means securingthe ends of each web loop togetherto thereby attach the web to said platesat-opposite ends of the sling,

and a plastic rub strip having an externally rounded channel mounted on said rim of each opening substantially completely therearound and receiving the rim in the channel, said rub strip comprising a plurality of transverse sections in end-toend abutting relation, and said sections are cemented to said plate.

2. A webbing sling which comprises two terminal metal eye plates of the same thickness with each having a web attachment opening therein, the opening in the first plate being wider than the opening in the second plate and wide enough for the second plate to pass therethrongh,

an elongated web having one end inserted through said opening in the first plate and the opposite end inserted through said opening in the second plate and said ends being looped back on themselves,

means securing the ends of each web loop to the Web to thereby attach the web to said plates at opposite ends of the sling,

and a rub strip interposed between the rim of each of said openings and the inside of the corresponding web loop through the opening,

the opening of the first plate having the rub strip substantially completely around the rim,

the opening of the second plate having the rub strip extend at least part way up the rim on each side of the opening adjacent the side edges of the webbing,

said rub strips comprising an externally rounded channel mounted on said rim of each opening and receiving the rim in the channel,

and sufficient space remaining in said first plate opening for insertion of the second plate on the opposite end of the sling therethrough.

3. An end terminal for a webbing sling which comprises a hard steel eye plate having a web attachment opening therein, and

a plastic rub strip having an externally rounded channel mounted on the rim of said opening, with the rim in the channel, substantially completely therearound,

said rub strip comprising a plurality of transverse sections in end-to-end abutting relation, said sections including a pair of C-shaped sections on opposite ends of said rim and straight sections on opposite sides of said rim, and said sections are cemented to said plate.

4. An end terminal for a webbing sling which comprises a metal plate of uniform thickness having an eye open ing and a separate web attachment rectangular opening therein, and

a rub strip having an externally rounded channel mounted on the rim of said opening, with the rim in the channel, substantially completely therearound,

said rub strip comprising a plurality of sections in butting relation circumscribing the attachment opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,518,851 8/1950 Anderson 16-2 2,603,523 7/1952. Cameron 294-74 3,153,828 10/1964 Glover 294-74X FOREIGN PATENTS 780,421 7/ 1957 Great Britain.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WEBBING SLING WHICH COMPRISES TWO TERMINAL HARD STEEL EYE PLATES EACH HAVING A WEB ATTACHMENT OPENING THEREIN, AN ELONGATED FABRIC WEB HAVING ONE END INSERTED THROUGH SAID OPENING IN ONE OF SAID PLATES AND THE OPPOSITE END INSERTED THROUGH SAID OPENING IN THE OTHER PLATE AND SAID ENDS BEING LOOPED BACK ON THEMSELVES, MEANS SECURING THE ENDS OF EACH WEB LOOP TOGETHER TO THEREBY ATTACH THE WEB TO SAID PLATES AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SLING, AND A PLASTIC RUB STRIP HAVING AN EXTERNALLY ROUNDED CHANNEL MOUNTED ON SAID RIM OF EACH OPENING SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY THEREAROUND AND RECEIVING THE RIM IN THE CHANNEL, SAID RUB STRIP COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE SECTIONS IN END-TO-END ABUTTING RELATION, AND SAID SECTIONS ARE CEMENTED TO SAID PLATE. 